Vadim Abramov spoke of the pride he felt for his Uzbekistan team following their 1-0 upset of Japan in World Cup qualifying on Wednesday.
Uzbekistan, who were without five suspended first-team regulars at Toyota Stadium, upended hosts Japan, securing top spot in Group C of Asian Football Confederation qualifying for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
“It was a really hard game as expected,” Abramov said in the post-match press conference.
“Both teams played decent football.”
“We counterattacked well and that is why we won.”
Abramov acknowledged his team’s limitations against the more fancied opponents, with Aleksandr Shadrin’s winning goal arriving after one of several counterattacks from the visitors.
“Rather than the football we wanted to play, we played the football that Japan allowed us to play,” Abramov said.
“This is not the only game we won away, we are gradually becoming more confident.”
“There were many young players, so this is a huge boost for our self-confidence. This result will be remembered in Uzbekistan.”
“Had it been a decisive game, they would have played differently. Japan are still the Asian Champions.”
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